Mel Schilling has quit Married At First Sight Australia after 12 seasons.
The 54-year-old expert shared a heartfelt message to her fans revealing that she'd be stepping down from the show following a 12-year stint.
Alongside a compilation of her most memorable moments, she wrote: "After 12 extraordinary seasons, I have made the heartfelt decision to step away from my role as an expert on Married at First Sight Australia.
"This hasn't been a choice I've made lightly. In recent years, my health challenges and living in the UK spending up to three months a year away from my family is no longer sustainable. It has become clear that I must make a change that puts my family, health and time at the very centre of my life."
She continued: "I am incredibly grateful to the fans, the production team, and my fellow experts for their trust and passion over the years. I am leaving not with sadness, but with a deep sense of gratitude for everything we've achieved together.
"Stepping away from the Australian series is the right move for my future, though I look forward to continuing my work with Married at First Sight UK. Thank you for being part of this chapter with me."
Fans and friends of the expert immediately flocked to the comments, with fellow MAFS panellist John Aiken writing: "Such a privilege to sit beside you Mel for a decade 🙏 onwards my friend to new beginnings. Big love ❤️"
Season nine star Domenica added: "Mel, I will never forget your kindness to me during some of my toughest moments in the experiment. You will be missed, the show won't be the same without you xxxx @mel_schilling1 ❤️❤️❤️❤️"
Mel first joined the experts on Married at First Sight Australia in 2016 for the show’s second season, stepping in for Sabrina Read and taking her place alongside John (Sexologist Alessandra Rampolla would later join the panel in season eight).
A natural when it comes to matters of the heart, Mel went on to become a familiar face on the revamped UK version of the show in 2021, joining matchmaker Paul C. Brunson and sex and relationship expert Charlene Douglas on the panel. While she has since stepped away from the Australian series, she’ll continue sharing her expertise with couples on the UK edition.
Off screen, Mel’s own love story is just as sweet. She met her husband, Gareth Brisbane, on eHarmony and the pair tied the knot in 2018. Together they share daughter Madison, who was born in 2015 and is very much the centre of their world.
In December 2023, Mel shared that she had been diagnosed with stage 3B colon cancer. After undergoing emergency surgery to remove a 5cm tumour and seven months of chemotherapy, she revealed in January 2025 that she was in remission.
Having faced one of the toughest periods of her life, her decision to prioritise her health and family now feels all the more understandable. So, while she’ll no doubt be missed on the Australian version of the show, at least we’ll still get to see plenty more of her trademark no-nonsense approach on the UK series.
Married At First Sight Australia season 12 will air on E4 soon.
